Photographic-printing frame



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. M. HUNTER.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING FRAME.

No. 518,922. Patented Apr. 24, 1894.

FIG.2.

I M Xhvenfor- (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. M. HUNTER.

PHOTOGRAPHIO PRINTING FRAME.

No. 518,922. Patented Apr. 24, 1894.

3 SheetsSheet 3.

(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER. PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING FRAME. No. 518,922. Patented Apr, 24, 1894.

' ITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PHOTOGRAPHlC-PRINTING FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,922, dated April 24, 1894; Application filed September 13, 1893. Serial No. 4851384 (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Photographic Printing Frames, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to printing frames, and consists of certain improvements therein which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

This application has particular reference to that class of printing frames which are used in photographic or solar printing. In some cases the prints are made from negatives formed on the glass, and in other cases the printing is from a drawing which is placed under a clear piece of glass which holds the drawings smoothly down upon the sensitized paper. The most common type of the latter style of solar printing is known as blue printing.

Heretofore printing frames in common public use have consisted of two parts, one a box frame adapted to receive the glass, and the other a back provided with spring clamps adapted to snap back of projections on the box frame to hold the two parts together, and clamp the'glass and paper between the glass and back. The back has been made of two parts hinged together so that either part may be moved to examine the extent and shade of printing. In frames of this kind there is great expense in the construction of the box frame, this being the'mostexpensive part of the printing frame. Other objections to this type of printing frame, are:The edges of the box frame cast shadows upon the negative; the two parts of the frame must be entirely separated to remove the negative and print; the box takes up considerable space thereby reducing the available capacity of the printing space at the command of the photographers; the frames are heavy to handie; and they are slow to operate. The object of my invention is 'to overcome all of these objections, and this I accomplish by making my printing frame of one piece, entirely dispensing with the box frame.

In carrying out my invention I employ a back of wood, metal or other equivalent material divided so as to be in two or more movable parts movably connected by hinge or other means, and to one or more of these parts I attach suitable spring clamps formed in one piece and pivoted to the edges of the back frame so as to clamp the said glass to the back and upon an interposed pad or covering for the back. In some types of my invention, the back is divided and the two parts hinged together, and to each I apply spring clamps of special construction adapted to clamp the glass to the back, and preferably so that either half may be readily thrown back by loosening the spring clamps on one of the parts. I may also employ one or more turn buttons, strips, or springs to hold the -two parts in alignment, as this will reduce the liability of injury to the glass.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved printing frame. Fig. 2 is a rear planview of same. Fig.3 is a side elevation of same showing the frame open to examine the printing operation. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the parts making up one of the clamps. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of myimproved printing frame on its adjustable support. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the lower part of the support. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another modification of my invention especially designed for very small frames. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the general construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, but with two clamps. Fig. 9 is a similar side elevation showing the same general construction as Fig. 8, but with the clamps differently disposed. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of another modification of my invention more or less similar to Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a plan view of same; and Fig. 12 is a side elevation of another modification of my invention.

In all of the figures of the drawings, A represents the backing and is formed of two or more parts hinged or connected together. In

all but the construction shown in Fig. 11, the

backing A is shown as formed of two parts 13 and C movably connected together by a suitable hinge or hinges G so that one is relatively movable to the other. The face of these parts B and (J is provided with a soft packing E of felt or other suitable material.

F represents the glass which may form the negative, or it may be simply a piece of clear glass, where solar printing is to be performed from adrawing such as in the blue print process. In this latter case the clear glass is the media to hold the drawings and sensitized paper flat and in contact. In most of the constructions I prefer to employ a transverse foot D atone end of one of the parts of the back such as B against which the negative or glass is placed in adjusting it to the backing.

L are clamps of suitable construction secured to the part B and hold the glass to the saidpart B, permitting the part 0 to be turned down as indicated in Fig. 3 to expose the sensitized paper f for examining the extent of printing. When the part 0 is turned back into the same plane with the part B it may be locked in position by the employment of one or more pivoted locking pieces H which are pivoted at K to the portion B and are adapted to be turned back of the part 0 and press upon the springs I secured thereon to hold the part 0 toward the negative with an elastic pressure. These springs may be dispensed with if desired, but in practical work with all of these types of printing frames illustrated in this application, I have found that the side springs are preferable.

Stops t' and 70, secured to either or both of the parts B and C, may be employed to limit the movement of the locking pieces II. It is quite evident that but one of these locking pieces H might be employed, though I prefer in practice to employ two as illustrated in Fig. 2. The spring clamp which I prefer to employ is that shown in Fig. 4 and is generally illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and 8 to 1:2,the said spring consisting of a piece of bent wire of substantially the shape illustrated, having a laterally extending part Z, which is adapted to project over the glass F, secured to one arm, while the other arm L is movable and adapted to be sprung down and snapped back of the head of a pin msecured tothe part B. The clamp is pivoted to the part B at M, and when the part L is released from the pin 'm the clamp can be thrown completely back over the part B so as to expose the negative and permit its ready removal. It is quite evident that the particular shape of this clamping device L is immaterial as it may be formed in a variety of ways which will be self evident to any skilled mechanic.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the clamps are secured to the part B and there is but one clamp upon each side. In the construction shown in Fig. 8 I employ two clamps upon each side, but in this case both of the clamps are pivoted to the part B, and are made to act upon the negative or glassin front of both of the parts 13 and O. The said clamps are respectively held in position. by pins min the respective partsB and C. It is quite evident that in this construction shown in Fig. 8 a very much larger negative may beheld to the frame without springing that would be the case wherein but one set of clamps is employed. It is also evident that in the construction of Fig. 8 wherein two sets of clamps would be employed, the pivoted locking pieces II might be entirely dispensed with, as the second set of clamps would hold the back G firmly to the negative F. It is also apparent that in such a construction where two sets of clamps would be employed, the hinge G might even be dispensed with, but this is not desirable for ohvious reasonsin the practical use of the printing frame. Two other features in the structure in Fig.8 not found in the prior figures are, that the joint between the parts B and (l is made zig zag so as to arrest any possible permeation of light, and further the part D is notched as at cl, to receive the edge of the negative and hold it firmlyin position. This modification of my invention is especially designed for large negatives, as before stated.

In the construction shown in Fi 9, we have the same general advantages which have been enumerated in the construction shown in Fig. 8, but in this case the second set of clamps L are pivoted to the movable part 0 of the back in place of the part B. The advantage of this construstion is that when handling the frame to remove or insert the negative, the clamps L may be turned completely back and offer no obstruction of any kind to the insertion of the plate, whereas in the construction shown in Fig. 8, the clamps L operating in connection with the parts O can never be thrown so as not to form somewhat of an obstruction to the insertion of the plate. Otherwise the constructions are substantially the same both in structure and operation.

In the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11, we have substantially the structure that is illustrated in Fig. 9, except that the projection D is extended all the way around the parts 13 and O, as at D, and the rear portions at the extreme ends are extended backward as at D to form feet. The clamps L are as before and press upon the glass F preferably through notches in the rims D. Small guide plates L may be employed to hold the clamps firmly in their position and prevent them springing off the edges of the glass.

These clamps may be employed with any of i the types of frames illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and 8 to 11. It will be further observed that in this construction of Figs. 10 and 11, which are especially designed for blue printing, but the single locking part II is shown, and this, as before, is adapted to be turned over a spring I secured to the part 0, while the locking piece is pivoted at K to the part B. Stops 'i and 7.". may beemployed to limit the throw of the locking part H as before. The use of the part II in a structure where a double set of clamps is employed is to hold the parts relatively in alignment when the glass is removed.

It is quite evident that in either of the constructions, Fig. 9 or Figs. 10 and 11, that the parts B or C may with equal facility be turned down while the glass plate is clamped to the other part. With these types of my invention it is quite evident that every portion of the print may be examined without disturbing its position with reference to the negative.

In the construction shown in Fig. 12, we.

'B and O or so as to free either of said parts.

To examine that portion of the print back of the parts B or C, it is simply necessary to turn the lock H and then release the clamps L corresponding to the part B or O which is to be moved back. By the use of this printing frame-nearly all of the print may be examined without changing its relation with the negative. It is quite evident that with this construction, the lock H may be pivoted to the part B or part 0 as before, and as indicated in dotted lines, but I prefer in this case to pivot it to the part B. It is further evident that the parts B and B may be considered as one portion of the structure, and in that case I would have the general construction illustrated in Fig. 8, but with the possibility of being able to turn the part B backward to expose the print. Of course in such a construction the notch 01 should be omitted from the guiding part or shoulder D.

It is self evident that in the construction shown in Fig. 12, if the clamps L be pivoted to the respective parts B and O as well as being held under the pins m carried thereby, as is indicated in dotted lines, the construction would be practically that shown in Fig. 9.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7, which is especially adapted to very small negatives, we have the two parts B andO hinged together as in the previous cases, but in this case, in

' place of the forms of clamps before described,

.firmly clamps the glass to the backing.

I may employ a clamp L formedof a piece of wire bent at one end into a clamping projection l, and at the other end intoa lever L, which is snapped down under pins m. This clamp is pivoted in suitable bearings at the side edges of the part B as will be clearly understood by examiningthe drawings so as to clamp the glass near the hinge joints of the parts B, O. The torsional action of one part of the spring clamp and the spring action of the part L or other part thereof, This structure has all of the general elements of the prior structures and is a modification of the invention as above stated especially adapted to very small negatives where cheapness of structure as well as simplicity is of great importance. 7

The soft covering E maybe of any suitable material but preferably felt, and in most cases it is preferable to make it a unit with the part B and C by cementing it thereto.

In the case of structures for blue printing, such as in the use of theframes shown in Figs. 10 and 11,1 have employed the said soft backing or covering E in the form of a single removable piece. For large work a pad formed of Brussels or'tapestry carpet is excellently adapted to the purpose.

It is quite evident that broadly considered my invention would comprehend any of the structures herein disclosed where the parts B and C were made integral or firmly secured together without provision for turning one of them backward relatively to the'other, though I prefer to make them in the manner illustrated.

It is often difficult in practice to hold the negatives in the proper relative position to the suns rays as to insure the proper printing and also to insure the best actinic effects of the sunsrays. It is customary in practice to support them in fixed frames, and they therefore remain immovable in their positions after being once set. To overcome this I prefer to secure to the back of my printing frame a socket J of any suitable construction, and combine therewith a flexible support N such as would be formed of a small piece of lead pipe, or other ductile material, the lower end of which is secured to a support fastened to a frame. A suitable frame for this structure is illustrated in Figs. 5 and-6. The metal tube J receives the end of the lead tube N which latter is wedged therein by a metal pin a. The cylinder J is then secured upon the piece J which latter is fastened upon the stationary frame at the window or on the roof. With this structure it is evident that the negative may be adjusted or supported in position so as to receive the rays of the sun to the best advantage, and may be adjusted or shifted as often as desired during the one exposure or during the series of independent exposures taking place during the period of a day. I do not confine myself to any combination of parts for accomplishing .this result, but it is evident that the parts must be sufficiently strong to sustain the weight of the printing frame.

All of the various constructions herein specified are excellent for the purpose described, and I have found by practical use that they embody the most essential features of the invention broadly considered which forms thesubject matter of this specification.

What I consider as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a photo printing frame, the combination of a back of suitable material severed transversely to its length and having its parts united by hinged joint orjoints, spring clamps pivoted to the side edges of one of the parts and provided with laterally projecting parts pointing toward each other adapted to clamp the negative or glass between the hinged joint and end of the frame, catches on the frame for holding the spring clampsin clamping position, and one or more pivoted looking bars carried upon one of the parts of the back to hold the two parts in the same plane.

2. In a printing frame, the combination of a plate of glass or transparent substance, a back of wood of substantially the size and shape of the glass and havinga portion made movable by a transverse hinged joint, spring clamps of the character described pivoted to the edges of the back adapted to extend over and clamp the edges of the plate of glass near the junction of two parts of the back to hold the glass firmly upon the back, pins or projections on the back over which the spring clamps are snapped, an interposed soft pad arranged between the back and glass plate, and one or more pivoted locking pieces carried by one of the pieces of the back to hold the several portions making up the back in the same plane and prevent strain coming upon the glass.

3. In a printing frame, the combination of a back of suitable material of substantially the size and shape of the transparent plate through which the light rays are required to pass formed of two or more parts hinged together so that one part may be turned down to expose the print, spring clamps pivoted to the opposite side edges of one or more of the parts of the back having laterally projecting clamping portions extending toward each other and movable about axes parallel with the dividing line of the back and adapted to directly hold the transparent plate to the back by pressing thereon at a distance from its ends and between the end and dividing line of the back, and one or more pivoted locking devices pivoted to the rear of one of the parts of the back to hold the movable part or parts of the back in the same plane with the part or parts carrying the clamps to prevent strain coming upon the glass or transparent plate.

I. In a photo printing frame, the combina tion of a back of suitable material severed transversely to its length and having its parts jointed together, spring clamps pivoted to the side edges of one of the parts and formed with long spring arms provided. with laterally projecting parts pointing toward each other adapted to clamp the negative or glass between the hinged joint and end of the frame and spring arms for locking the clamps, catches on the frame for holding the spring arms of the clamps in clamping position, one or more pivoted locking bars carried upon one of the parts of the back to hold the two parts in the same plane and interposed springs between the ends of the locking bars and back whereby the two parts of the back are held in the same plane with an elastic pressure.

5. In a photo printing frame, the combination of a back of suitable material formed in two or more parts hingedly connected together, clamps carried by one or more of the parts adapted to clasp a glass or transparent plate to the back each formed of bent wire and having a long springarm provided with a laterally projecting part to clasp the transparent plate a loop for hinging to the back and. an arm for locking the clamp in clamping position, and catches on the back to hold the arms of the spring clamps in clamping position.

6. In a photo printing frame, the combination of a back of suitable material severed transversely to itslength and having its parts united by hinged joint or joints, spring clamps pivoted to the side edges of one of the parts and formed with long spring arms provided with laterally projecting parts pointing toward each other adapted to clamp the negative or glass between the hinged joint and end of the frame and spring arms for locking the clamps, catches on the frame for holding the springarms of the clampsin clamping position, and one or more pivoted locking bars carried upon one of the parts of the back to hold the two parts in the same plane, and springsI interposed between the free ends of the locking bars and one of the hinged parts of the back whereby the parts of the back are held in the same plane with an elastic pressure.

7. In a photo printing frame, the combination of a back formed of parts B G hinged together at G, two or more spring clamps L substantially of the character shown pivoted to the sides of the back between the end and the hinged division between the parts B and C of the back and provided with laterally projecting parts Z pointing toward each other, a transverse guide or projecting foot D arranged on one end of the frame to receive and hold one end of the glass in proper alignment, and one or more locking bars II pivoted to the rear of the back for holding the two parts thereof in the same plane.

8. In a photo printing frame the combination of a back formed of parts B O hinged together at G, two or more spring clamps L substantially of the character shown pivoted to the sides of the part B between the end and the hinged division between the parts B and C of the back and provided with laterally proj ecting parts 1 pointing toward each other, and one or more locking bars H pivoted to the rear of the part B of the back for holding the two parts thereof in the same plane, whereby the spring clamps hold the glass negative firmly to the part B and the bars hold the part 0 in the same plane with the part B.

9. In a printing frame, the combination of a back of suitable material of substantially the size of the transparent plate through which light rays are required to pass having a transversely hinged part; and metallic clamps carried by the back at its opposite side edges adapted to clamp the plate to the back,

the said clamps being made of bent wire hold the partscomposing thebackinthesame 10 formed. with a long spring arm having a latplane. erally projecting part to clasp the transpar- In testimony of which invention I have cut plate with spring pressure, aloop for hinghereunto set my hand.

5 ing to the back on an axis parallel to the R. M. HUNTER. transverse hinge, and. an arm for locking the spring clamp in clamping position; catches Witnesses:

0n the back close to the projecting clamping v ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER,

part to hold the locking arms; and means to H. L. MOTHERWELL. 

